CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Council Chambers & Hybrid
4:00 PM
4:30 PM
Amended Agenda
Amended agenda items appear in RED
Palo Alto City Council meetings will be held as “hybrid” meetings with the option to attend by teleconference or in person. Information on how the public may observe and participate in the meeting is located at the end of the agenda.
The meeting will be broadcast on Cable TV Channel
26, live on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofpaloalto
, and streamed to Midpen Media
Center
https://midpenmedia.org
.
VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION
CLICK HERE TO JOIN
(
https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/362027238
)
Meeting ID: 362 027 238 Phone:1(669)900-6833
PUBLIC COMMENTS
General
Public
Comment
for
items
not
on
the
agenda
will
be
accepted
in
person
for
up
to
three
minutes
or
an
amount
of
time
determined
by
the
Chair.
General
public
comment
will
be
heard
for
30 minutes.
Additional
public
comments,
if
any,
will
be
heard
at
the
end
of
the
agenda.
Public
comments
for
agendized
items
will
be
accepted
both
in
person
and
via
Zoom
for
up
to
three
minutes
or
an
amount
of
time
determined
by
the
Chair.
Requests
to
speak
will
be
taken
until
5 minutes
after
the
staff’s
presentation
or
as
determined
by
the
Chair.
Written
public
comments
can
be
submitted
in
advance
to
and
will
be
provided
to
the
Council
and
available
for
inspection
on
the
City’s
website.
Please
clearly
indicate
which
agenda item you are referencing in your subject line.
PowerPoints,
videos,
or
other
media
to
be
presented
during
public
comment
are
accepted
only
by
to
at
least
24 hours
prior
to
the
meeting.
Once
received,
the
Clerk
will
have
them
shared
at
public
comment
for
the
specified
item.
To
uphold
strong
cybersecurity
management
practices,
USB’s
or
other
physical
electronic
storage
devices
are
not
accepted.
Signs
and
symbolic
materials
less
than
2 feet
by
3 feet
are
permitted
provided
that:
(1)
sticks,
posts,
poles
or
similar/other
type
of
handle
objects
are
strictly
prohibited;
(2)
the
items
do
not
create
a
facility,
fire,
or
safety
hazard;
and
(3)
persons
with
such
items
remain
seated
when
displaying
them
and
must
not
raise
the
items
above
shoulder
level,
obstruct
the
view
or
passage
of other attendees, or otherwise disturb the business of the meeting.
TIME ESTIMATES
Listed
times
are
estimates
only
and
are
subject
to
change
at
any
time,
including
while
the
meeting
is
in
progress.
The
Council
reserves
the
right
to
use
more
or
less
time
on
any
item,
to
change
the
order
of
items
and/or
to
continue
items
to
another
meeting.
Particular
items
may
be
heard
before
or
after
the
time
estimated
on
the
agenda.
This
may
occur
in
order
to
best
manage the time at a meeting or to adapt to the participation of the public.
1 October 15, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas
.
CALL TO ORDER
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY: BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES INTERVIEWS
1. Interview Candidates for Vacancies on the Human Relations Commission (HRC), Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC), and Public Art Commission (PAC); CEQA Status - Not a Project
Supplemental Report added
BREAK (15 MINUTES)
CLOSED SESSION (8:40 - 9:40 PM)
2. CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY-POTENTIAL LITIGATION
Subject: Potential litigation regarding 156 North California Avenue, as set forth in letter(s) from Holland & Knight LLP dated September 3, 2025
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2); One case, as Defendant.
ADJOURNMENT
OTHER INFORMATION
Standing Committee Meetings this week
Policy & Services Committee October 14, 2025 CANCELED
Retail Committee October 15, 2025 CANCELED
Climate Action & Sustainability Committee October 17, 2025
Public Comment Letters
Schedule of Meetings
SUPPLEMENTAL / AMENDED AGENDA ITEMS
1. Interview Candidates for Vacancies on the Human Relations Commission (HRC), Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC), and Public Art Commission (PAC); CEQA Status - Not a Project
Supplemental Report added
2 October 15, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas
.
PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Members
of
the
Public
may
provide
public
comments
to
teleconference
meetings
via
email,
teleconference, or by phone.
1. Written public comments
may be submitted by email to
[email protected]
.
2. For
in
person
public
comments
please
complete
a
speaker
request
card
located
on
the
table
at
the
entrance
to
the
Council
Chambers
and
deliver
it
to
the
Clerk
prior
to
discussion of the item.
3. Spoken
public
comments
for
agendized
items
using
a
computer
or
smart
phone
will
be
accepted
through
the
teleconference
meeting.
To
address
the
Council,
click
on
the
link
below to access a Zoom-based meeting. Please read the following instructions carefully. ◦
You
may
download
the
Zoom
client
or
connect
to
the
meeting
in-
browser.
If
using
your
browser,
make
sure
you
are
using
a
current,
up-to-date
browser:
Chrome
30 ,
Firefox
27 ,
Microsoft
Edge
12 ,
Safari
7 .
Certain
functionality
may
be
disabled
in
older
browsers
including
Internet
Explorer.
Or
download
the
Zoom
application
onto
your
smart
phone
from
the
Apple
App
Store
or
Play
Store
and
enter
in
the
Meeting ID below.
◦
You
may
be
asked
to
enter
an
address
and
name.
We
request
that
you
identify
yourself
by
name
as
this
will
be
visible
online
and
will
be
used
to
notify
you
that it is your turn to speak.
◦
When
you
wish
to
speak
on
an
Agenda
Item,
click
on
“raise
hand.”
The
Clerk
will
activate
and
unmute
speakers
in
turn.
Speakers
will
be
notified
shortly
before
they
are called to speak.
◦
When
called,
please
limit
your
remarks
to
the
time
limit
allotted.
A
timer
will
be
shown on the computer to help keep track of your comments.
4. Spoken
public
comments
for
agendized
items
using
a
phone
use
the
telephone
number
listed
below.
When
you
wish
to
speak
on
an
agenda
item
hit
*9
on
your
phone
so
we
know
that
you
wish
to
speak.
You
will
be
asked
to
provide
your
first
and
last
name
before
addressing
the
Council.
You
will
be
advised
how
long
you
have
to
speak.
When
called
please limit your remarks to the agenda item and time limit allotted.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN
Meeting ID: 362-027-238 Phone: 1-669-900-6833
Americans
with
Disability
Act
(ADA)
It
is
the
policy
of
the
City
of
Palo
Alto
to
offer
its
public
programs,
services
and
meetings
in
a
manner
that
is
readily
accessible
to
all.
Persons
with
disabilities
who
require
materials
in
an
appropriate
alternative
format
or
who
require
auxiliary
aids
to
access
City
meetings,
programs,
or
services
may
contact
the
City’s
ADA
Coordinator
at
(650)
329-2550
(voice)
or
by
emailing
Requests
for
assistance
or
accommodations
must
be
submitted
at
least
24 hours
in
advance
of
the
meeting,
program,
or
service.
3 October 15, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas
.
California
Government
Code
§84308
,
commonly
referred
to
as
the
"Levine
Act,"
prohibits
an
elected
official
of
a
local
government
agency
from
participating
in
a
proceeding
involving
a
license,
permit,
or
other
entitlement
for
use
if
the
official
received
a
campaign
contribution
exceeding
$500
from
a
party
or
participant,
including
their
agents,
to
the
proceeding
within
the
last
12 months.
A
“license,
permit,
or
other
entitlement
for
use”
includes
most
land
use
and
planning
approvals
and
the
approval
of
contracts
that
are
not
subject
to
lowest
responsible
bid
procedures
and
have
a
value
over
$50,000.
A
“party”
is
a
person
who
files
an
application
for,
or
is
the
subject
of,
a
proceeding
involving
a
license,
permit,
or
other
entitlement
for
use.
A
“participant”
is
a
person
who
actively
supports
or
opposes
a
particular
decision
in
a
proceeding
involving
a
license,
permit,
or
other
entitlement
for
use,
and
has
a
financial
interest
in
the
decision.
The
Levine
Act
incorporates
the
definition
of
“financial
interest”
in
the
Political
Reform
Act,
which
encompasses
interests
in
business
entities,
real
property,
sources
of
income,
sources
of
gifts,
and
personal
finances
that
may
be
affected
by
the
Council’s
actions.
If
you
qualify
as
a
“party”
or
“participant”
to
a
proceeding,
and
you
have
made
a
campaign
contribution
to
a
Council
Member
exceeding
$500
made
within
the
last
12 months,
you
must
disclose
the
campaign contribution before making your comments.
4 October 15, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas
.
City Council
Staff Report
Report Type: BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
INTERVIEWS
Lead Department: City Clerk
Meeting Date: October 15, 2025
Report #:2510-5273
TITLE
Interview Candidates for Vacancies on the Human Relations Commission (HRC), Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC), and Public Art Commission (PAC); CEQA Status - Not a Project
BACKGROUND
The Fall 2025 Boards and Commissions recruitment opened on August 22, 2025, and closed on September 24, 2025. HRC, PAC, and PRC each have three full-term vacancies.
Membership requirements for HRC, PRC, and PAC are listed below. Additionally, no commissioners can be Councilmembers, officers, or employees of the City. Human Relations Commission – Palo Alto residency 1.
Parks and Recreation Commission – Palo Alto residency and demonstrated interest in parks, open space and recreation matters2.
Public Art Commission - shall be either members of the architectural review board or professional visual artists, professional visual arts educators, professional visual arts scholars, or visual arts collectors whose authorities and skills are known and respected in the community and, whenever feasible, who have demonstrated an interest in, and have participated in, the arts program of the city3.
Each candidate interview will be scheduled for 10 minutes. Candidates will have an opportunity to summarize their experiences, and the remaining time will be allocated to Councilmember questions.
1 Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 1.22.010 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloalto_ca/0- 0-0-61320
2 Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 2.25.020 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloalto_ca/0- 0-0-61402
3 Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 2.18.020 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloalto_ca/0- 0-0-61257
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Appointments are tentatively scheduled for the October 22, 2025 City Council Special Meeting.
Councilmembers will appoint candidates through live voting conducted during the meeting. The City Clerk will announce the results of the vote.
The City Council is expected to select candidates for interview at the October 6, 2025 City Council meeting. The interview schedule will be published as a supplemental report on October 9, 2025.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
None.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
City staff publicized the recruitment through the City’s Uplift Local community newsletter, City Clerk’s Office newsletters, the City’s website, and the City’s social media channels. The recruitment was also advertised in both print and online in the Palo Alto Daily Post and Palo Alto Weekly. Recruitment information was also posted at Palo Alto libraries and City Hall and emailed to previous applicants, community-based organizations and businesses related to the commissions’ issue areas.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Council action on this item is not a project as defined by CEQA because it is an organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5).
APPROVED BY:
Mahealani Ah Yun, City Clerk
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City Council
Supplemental Report
From: Mahealani Ah Yun, City Clerk
Meeting Date: October 15, 2025
Item Number: 1
Report #:2510-5291
TITLE
Interview Candidates for Vacancies on the Human Relations Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, and Public Art Commission; CEQA Status - Not a Project
BACKGROUND
This supplemental report provides the applicant interview schedule. There will be a 15 minute break from 5:55 PM – 6:10 PM. Two candidates for the Parks and Recreation Commission withdrew their applications, so there is an additional break from 7:10 PM – 7:30 PM (Candidates have been asked to arrive 15 minutes early, Council may be able to move to the next interview if candidate is present).
Candidates have been informed that:
1. Each interview is scheduled for 10 minutes. Candidate may begin with 1-2 minutes of their experience and/or desire to serve. The remaining time will be Q+A with the City Council;
2. Interviews are located in Council Chambers on the ground floor of City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave)
3. Please arrive or join zoom 15 minutes before the scheduled time and check in with the clerk;
4. If joining via Zoom, make sure to use your name so the clerk can identify the candidate.
Please use this link to join https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/362027238. The clerk will allow you to unmute/turn on your video when it’s your turn.
Item 1
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Human Relations Commission
4:35 PM – 4:45 PM Michelle Kraus (In Person)
4:45 PM – 4:55 PM Bridget Algee (In Person)
4:55 PM – 5:05 PM Sridhar Karnam (In Person)
5:05 PM – 5:15 PM Sunny Dykwel (In Person)
5:15 PM – 5:25 PM Allyson C. Rosen (In Person)
5:25 PM – 5:35 PM Mare Lucas (In Person)
5:35 PM – 5:45 PM Salwa Ansari (In Person)
5:45 PM – 5:55 PM Raizel Rosenberg (In Person)
Parks and Recreation Commission
6:10 PM – 6:20 PM Bobi Adle (In Person)
6:20 PM – 6:30 PM Brenton Hanlon (In Person)
6:30 PM – 6:40 PM Marc Schoenen (In Person)
6:40 PM – 6:50 PM Roger Smith (In Person)
6:50 PM – 7:00 PM Vadim Axelrod (Zoom)
7:00 PM – 7:10 PM Nellis Freeman, Jr. (In Person)
Public Art Commission
7:30 PM – 7:40 PM Eedit Bareket (In Person)
7:40 PM – 7:50 PM Simon Tran (In Person)
7:50 PM – 8:00 PM Anjana Joshi (Zoom)
8:00 PM – 8:10 PM Claude Ezran (In Person)
8:10 PM – 8:20 PM Robin Mullery (In Person)
8:20 PM – 8:30 PM Donny Foley (In Person)
8:30 PM – 8:40 PM Marilyn Gottlieb Roberts (In Person)
APPROVED BY:
Mahealani Ah Yun, City Clerk
Item 1
Item 1 Supplemental Report
Item 1: Staff Report
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